Forms: α. 4–6 calenge, (4 caleng, 6 callenge. β. 4 Sc. challanss, 4–5 chalange, chalaunge, 4–7 chalenge, (4 chaleng, 5 challeng), 5 Sc. chalans, (6 chaling), 6– challenge. [ME. calenge, chalange, a. OF. ca-, chalenge, -lange, orig. -longe (with many other forms) = Pr. calonja, Sp. caloña:—L. calumnia, trickery, artifice, misrepresentation, false accusation, malicious action at law; prob. f. calvi, calvere to devise tricks. With the phonetic development in OF. cf. that of somnium, songe. OE. had both the Northern F. calenge, and the central F. chalenge; the latter has (as in many other words) survived. Challenge is thus originally the same word as calumny. Some of the senses still in use go back to the ME. and OF. sb., but others are taken immediately from the vb., as in blame, etc., so that the sequence is not simple.]
† 1. An accusation, charge, reproach, objection.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 6714. Þe bestis lauerd sal ga quite Of alkines chalange and wite.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 131. Thou hast y-broȝt ous out of cry Of calenge of the fende.
1388. Wyclif, Jer. vii. 6. If ȝe maken not fals caleng to a comelyng, & to a fadirless child, & to a widewe.
1483. Cath. Angl., 58. A chalange, calumpnia.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, III. xv. (1660), 197. Sufficient difference to prevent all causes of Challenge.
a. 1626. Bacon, Max. & Uses Com. Law, Pref. 2. The incertainty of law … is the principall and most just challenge that is made to the lawes of our nation.
1692. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen., 1057. He refuses the challenge of the crime, or denies he did commit it.
2. The act of calling to account; esp. the act of a sentry in demanding the countersign.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, VIII. 82. But challanss eschapit [he] had, Ne war ane hynt hym by the brand.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 300 b. Peter at the chalenge of a poore handmayde, for feare dyd deny the [= thee] his lorde.
1754. Richardson, Grandison, V. xlii. The creature … had subjected herself to your challenges.
Mod. Startled by the challenge of a sentinel.
b. Hunting. The opening and crying of hounds at finding the scent; see CHALLENGE v.
In mod. Dicts.
3. Law. ‘An Exception taken, against either persons or things’ (Blount); spec. an objection made to one or more of the jurymen in a trial, as in Principal challenge, peremptory challenge, challenge to the array, to the polls, to the favor. Also, an exception taken to a vote, etc.
[1292. Britton, I. ii. § 11. Et si defendoms a touz Corouners qe nul remue jurour par chaleng de nule partie.]
1530–1. Act 22 Hen. VIII., c. 14 § 8. No person arrained for any pety treason, murder, or felony be … admitted to any peremytorie chalenge aboue the nombre of xx.
1607–72. Cowell’s Interpr., Challenge principal, otherwise called peremptory, is that which the Law alloweth without cause alledged, or farther examination … peremptory being used onely in matters Criminal, and alledged without other cause than barely the Prisoners fancy; but principal in civil Actions for the most part, and with naming some such cause of exception, as being found true, the Law alloweth without farther scanning.
1660. Trial Regic., 32. If you will not agree … in your Challenges, we must be forced to Try you severally.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. 359. As the jurors appear … they shall be sworn, unless challenged by either party. Challenges are of two sorts; challenges to the array and challenges to the polls…. Challenges to the array are at once an exception to the whole panel, in which the jury are arrayed. Ibid., 361. Challenges to the polls, in capita, are exceptions to particular jurors. Ibid., 363. Challenges to the favour, are where the party hath no principal challenge; but objects only some probable circumstances of suspicion, as acquaintance, and the like.
1853. Wharton, Pa. Digest, II. 115. Interest in a juror is a principal cause of challenge.
b. East Indies. (See quot.)
1858. J. B. Norton, Topics, 198. Another check … is the right of ‘challenge’ … long … recognised in this district…. Any ryot who imagines that his wealthier neighbour’s field is more lightly assessed than his own, offers to take it at a higher rate, claiming a corresponding reduction for his poorer holding.
4. A calling in question or disputing; the state of being called in question.
1820. Scott, Monast., xvi. Whatever schemes may be pursued for bringing her title into challenge.
† 5. A claim; the act of demanding as a right. In early use, often, a false claim. Obs.
c. 1314. Guy Warw., A. 5466. Swithe thai priked … Chalaunge on Herhaud to legge.
1340. Ayenb., 34. Of þe rote of auarice guoþ out manye smale roten … þe þridde roberye. Þe uerþe chalenge.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 68. Chalaunge or cleyme, vendicacio.
1570–6. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1862), 295. To Maude so soone as ever she made her chalenge to the Crowne.
1613. Purchas, Pilgr., I. VII. ii. 556. They lay challenge to Jerusalem for their inheritance.
1750. Johnson, Rambl., No. 1, ¶ 10. A publick challenge of honours and rewards.
6. An invitation or summons to a trial or contest of any kind; a defiance.
c. 1325. Coer de L., 525. When none wolde … With schafft to him make chalenge, [etc.].
1551. Edw. VI., Jrnl., in Lit. Rem. (1858), II. 312. I lost the chaling of shoting at roundes, and wane at rovers.
1649. Bp. Reynolds, Hosea, vii. 157. The pride and wrath of man to give a chalenge to the justice and power of God.
1722. Sewel, Hist. Quakers (1795), I. IV. 314. The Baptists sent him a letter by way of challenge, that they would discourse with him.
1847. L. Hunt, Men, Women, & B., II. xi. 275. His whole countenance is a challenge to scrutiny.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, xi. Wks. (Bohn), II. 80. A challenge to duty and honour.
1879. McCarthy, Own Times, II. xxix. 387. It was a challenge to established beliefs and prejudices.
7. spec. A summons to fight, esp. to single combat or duel.
1530. Palsgr., 202/2. Calenge or provokyng to do armes, chalenge.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxvii. (1887), 151. He must abyde both chalenge and combate with all the rest.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., III. iv. 157. Heere’s the Challenge, reade it.
1660–1. Marvell, Corr., xvi. Wks. 1872–5, II. 48. Upon some words Gen. Mountagu … sent a chalenge to the Duke of Buckingham.
1769. Blackstone, Comm., IV. 167. Challenges to fight, either by word or letter … are punishable by fine and imprisonment.
1838. Marryat, Midsh. Easy, xxii. It was not in Captain Tartar’s nature to refuse a challenge.
8. attrib.
1813. Scott, Trierm., III. x. The valiant Knight of Triermain Rung forth his challenge-blast again.
